Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Alabama’s first bee retail + education center coming soon to Irondale
Reading time: 3 minutes
Foxhound Bee Company, the first of its kind beekeeping retail and education destination in Alabama, plans to break ground on a new 5,000-square-foot Beekeeping and Pollinator Education Center in Irondale this month.
The new facility is designed to serve as both a retail shop for beekeepers and an educational space where beekeepers and the community can explore the wonders of honey bees and pollinators.
The new location in Irondale is at 500 16th Street N. across from the newly upgraded Ruffner Park.
The company will continue to run out of its current retail space on 424 9th Street N, during construction. If everything goes as planned, the Irondale facility is expected to open in September.
A Hardware Park success story
Established during the COVID 19 pandemic as an “incubator space” within Birmingham’s Hardware Park, Foxhound Bee Company has outgrown its current site.
“Our time at Hardware Park provided the necessary step to move between a garage business and this new beekeeping and education center. We couldn’t have taken this step without the resources Hardware Park provided.
Graduating from Hardware Park is not just a milestone—it’s a testament to our team at Foxhound and our supportive beekeeping community. Our new location will allow us to expand our services, host more hands-on classes, and share our love for pollinators with a larger audience.”
Adam Hickman, Founder of Foxhound Bee Company
Info about the new Irondale facility
Serving as a comprehensive destination for both seasoned beekeepers and novices, the facility will feature:
- A 5,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art retail and education space
- An indoor classroom and outdoor education area for hands-on learning experiences
- A dedicated section showcasing innovative beekeeping equipment and supplies
- Bee-focused landscaping, walking paths and an apiary for teaching about our pollinators
According to a Foxhound Bee Company news release, the new center will further the company’s mission of educating the public about the importance of pollinators while supporting local beekeeping traditions.
Welcome to Irondale
The city of Irondale is excited about bringing Foxhound Bee Company to their community.
“We are elated to welcome Foxhound Bee Company to the City of Irondale. Their new facility is not only a testament to entrepreneurial success but also perfectly aligns with Irondale’s dynamic transformation.
Our city’s record investments in major developments and public projects over the past few years are creating an environment where innovation thrives. Foxhound’s arrival is a win for both local business and community education.”
James D. Stewart Jr., Mayor of Irondale
What do you think of the Foxhound Bee Company expansion into Irondale? Tell us on social media by tagging us in the comments at @bhamnow!
